THE MOOD FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2012: (Clockwise from bottom left) First looks from Brunello Cucinelli's new collection; the avant-garde inspiration for Band of Outsiders's Pitti Uomo show; constant Italian street inspiration Lapo Elkann (and friend); Paul Smith's new take on navy, to be shown next week in Paris.

FLORENCE, Italy — When it comes to Fashion Week, men have the timing down. The Spring/Summer 2012 collections are beginning to roll out, which is pretty convenient given that it's June, which is neither too late to inform you how to dress this summer (futuristically), or next summer, or anywhere in between. Because it's always good to be ahead of the game.

Your first opportunity will be now through Thursday here in Firenze, where the best Italian labels are gathering for the 80th year. Fashion Director Nick Sullivan has a full schedule at Pitti Uomo, so check back here for exclusive first looks, and stay tuned, because for the next two weeks, The Style Blog will be your essential backstage pass to the new clothes that matter.

But amid the hordes of well-dressed Italians at Pitti, Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders has been invited as this year's guest designer for a touch of American sprezzatura. The Windows on the World movie still of Jean-Paul Belmondo above, which Sternberg shared exclusively with The Style Blog in advance of his show here on Wednesday, is an inspiration for his new collection — and a pretty good indicator of what's to come. "We're going to bring a piece of America that no one would really expect from us," the designer e-mailed between fittings. Given that he's done oxfords, chinos, and sack suits (and rugbys, and polos), there's little Americana left to mine. But there's one thing he's not designing: "Swimwear. Dude, I need to get to a gym."

Next spring won't really be about Americana anymore. And it won't be just about clothes, either. As the men's fashion industry lands at Aeroporto di Firenze, then moves on to Milan and Paris, we're seeing new ideas of how a man conveys himself at work, or new inspiration for where — and how — he spends his downtime.

What does that look like? Small ideas from the fallcollections shown in January could grow into major themes. Likely, we'll see the continuing growth of white, plus it's siblings off-white and bone. To offset that, an evolution of this summer's color: We're expecting spicy earth tones and rich oranges, greens and mustards — once accents — to become more prominent. Look for a slackening of silhouettes and a rebellion from the tradition and heritage that's defined previous seasons. Pants may be wider, suits boxier, jackets softer and looser.

As new themes emerge, we'll be highlighting the best looks and ideas from Milan right here when it starts on Saturday morning and from Paris right here once we get settled there on June 22. (Also: the Twitter.) Until then, here's our best guess at what's next....